Railroad switch



Aug. A31 1926.

J. R. WYATT- RAILROAD SWTGH Filed Feb. 16, 1926 mum Patented Ang.n 31, 1926.

JOHN R. WYATT, OF ERNGETGZN', KENTUCKY.

RALRGAD SWITCH.

Application filed February 16, 1926.

This invention relates to improvements in 1ailroad switch mechanisms.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of improvements in railroad switch mechanisms such as set forth in my YUnited States Patents 88,421, patented March 26, 1907, and #1,529,051, patented March 10, 1925, and embodying` improvements thereover which render the switch 10 mechanisms of said patents practical for use in connection with railroad switch mechanisms now in use. l

Ik further object of this invention is the provision of novel operating mechanism for F railroad switches, embodying an operating mechanism and novel bracket means for supporting the saine in connection with conventional switch construction.

A further object of this invention is the o provision of novel switch mechanism for use in connection with railroads, embodying an improved bracket construction for supporting operatin rods and levers of the switch mechanism in such manner that the switch operating mechanism may be applied in practical operating manner upon conventional switch structures now in use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following' detailed description.

In the accompanying' drawing, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, 35 Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view taken through the improved switch mechanism at right angles to the main rails of the railroad, showing novel cooperating features of the invention.

49 Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of details of the improved switch mechanism, showing parts in section, and particularly showing the novel bracket means for supporting operating` details of the switch 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 3*3 of Figure 2, showing particularly the novel brack- 5 et construction of the switch mechanism which renders the same practical foruse in connection with present types of switch structures,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the novel mechanism, the view being tahen on line Serial No. 88,620.

bracket means which accommodates the operating,` features of the switch mechanism.

1n the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generally designate the conventional railway trackv construction. which has associated therewithy a switch mechanism B.

Referring` to the railway construction A, the same preferably comprises the conventional main rails and 11 which are supported upon ties of any suitable construction. At the switchy mechanism B the main rails 10 and 11 are supported upon the base switch ties 13 and 14S, whichas is well understood are relatively longer than other ties of the railroad bed, andv project laterally from one of the main rails for a distance sutlicient to support the switch mechanism The switch mechanism Bv includes the movable rails or switch points 15 and 16 slidable between the main rails 10 and 11, for conventional cooperation therewith7 these switch points 15 and 16 being connected for movement together by any approved cross bars, such as the bar 17 5 the bar 17 having connections 1S and' 19 with the switch points 15 and 16, and said cross bar 17 at one end projecting beneath the main rail 11 and laterally thereof for pivotal vconnection at 2O with the switch throw bar 21, the operation of which. will be subsequently described.

As set forth in my United States patents above referred to, means is provided in connection with the switch structure, for locking the switch points or movable rails 15 and 16 in a predetermined switching relation with the main rails 110 and 11, and this locking` means preferably comprises a rock bar rotatably supported by means of brackets 26 and 27, beneath the rails 10, 11, 15 and 16; the rock bar 25 having dogs or locking lugs 29V and 30 thereon for respective cooperation with the switch points 15 and' 16, in order to lock them in prede-termined switching relation with the main rails 10 and 11, as has been specifically described in detail in my patents above referred to. A spring 31 is preferably employed at one end of the rock bar 25, adjacent the bracket 27, to normally urge the rock bar 25 angularly, to thrust the lock lugs 29 and 30 into locking relation with the switch points 15 and 16. At the outer side of the main rail 11, and between the base switch ties 13 and 14, the rock bar 25 is provided with a socket member 36, having an enlarged polygonal socket 37 therein, facing outwardly for detachably receiving theV squared end 33 of a rock shaft 39, which has a sort of universal connection in the socket member 36, when inserted therein; the. rock shaft 39 being adapted for mechanical operative movement with the throw bar 21,l by means of operating mechanism to be subsequently described, in order to effect the movement of the rock bar 25 about its aXisfor removing the locking dogs 29 and 30 from their locking relation with the .switch points 15 and 16, so as to enable a shifting of saidswitch points.

The switch mechanism B, as a novel feature of this invention, includes a bracket or hanger 40, ofA any approved metal, the same being U-shaped in formation, and being adapted for transverse disposition in the space between the ends of the main switch ties 13 and 14. IThis bracket 40 includes the attaching ears 41 and 42 adapted to overl-ie upon the top` surface of the ties 13 and 14 respectively, and includes depending portions 43 and 44 extending downwardly along the facing sides of the ties 13 and 14, and has a cross bracket supporting portion 46, which is preferably supported at a distance above the ground surface, as is illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing. Of course, attaching elements, such as lag screws 47 are employed for connecting the ears 41 and 42 in position upon the ties 13 and 14, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing.

An adjustable substantially U-shaped preferably metal bracket 50 is supported upon the portion 46 of the bracket 40, preferably closer to the tie 13 than the tie 14,

- and this bracket 50 includes a horizontal leg portion 52 disposed directly upon the portion 46 of the bracket 40, and .pivoted thereto as by a pivot bolt or element 54. The bracket 50 furthermore includes a vertical bight portion 55, having an aperture 56 therein through which the rock shaft 39 rotatably extends. The bracket 50 furthermore includes a horizontally disposed overhanging flange or leg 58, overlying the portion 52 of the bracket 50, and having therein an elongated opening 60, into which a vertical operating` rod 61 extends, as will be subsequently described;

ln connection with the switch mechanism l?, a switch stand such as setforth in my patents above referred to is used, and this' comprises a substantially cylindrical shapedv framework 63 having a hand lever 64 pivoted upwardly thereof upon an oscillative head to which a vertical rod 66 is'coniiected for movement; the rod 66 extending downwardly through a supporting spider or plate 67 of the frame 63, and at its-lower end having a crank 68 pivotally connected at 69 with the throw lever 21.

The vertical rod 61 above mentioned as extending thru the elongated opening of the pivoted bracket 50 at its upper end is provided with a pronged segment, similar to that illustrated in my Patent No. 848,421, above referred to, in Figure 7 thereof, for operative connection with the head a compression spring 70 being placed upon the rod 61 between the pronged. head at the upper end thereof and a washer 73 at Vits .lower end, the washer being provided to prevent its catching in the elongated slot 60 of the bracket 50. The function of this spring kis to maintain the rod 61 in its lifted position. At its lower end the rod 61 has a crank 75 pivotally connected in a crank end 76 of the rock shaft 39.

vlVhen it is desired to move the switch points the hand lever 64 is pivoted by upwardly swinging the same to substantially .a horizontal position so that the end thereof will enter a suitable recess in the head and engage a prong of the rod 61 to depress tlie rod 61 and force it against the action of its spring downwardly. This depression of the rod 61 will cause an oscillation of the rock shaft 39, due to the crank connections and 76, and due to the fact that the rock shaft 39 has a universal connection in the socket portion 36 of the. rock bar 25, the latter will be moved through an arc sufficient to depress the -lock dogs 29 and 30, moving them out of the path of the switch points 15 and 16, and enabling a shifting of the latter. It should be noted that the shifting of the switch points is simultaneous, in a cooperative movement with the removal of the locking dogs, and is effected by swinging the head 65, after the lll!) operating lever 64 has been elevated, through f an arc of substantially and this likewise moves the vertical rod 66', and due to the crank connection 68, the throw lever 21 is pulled for shifting the switch points 15 and 16 between the main rails 10 and 11, as can readily be understood.

The essential novelty of this invention consists in the provision of the brackets 40 and 50, which enable a facile assemblage of parts of the switch mechanism to the ties 13 and 14, and enables the application of the switch mechanism to existing types of switch structures of railroads.

In the assemblage of the switch structure, the hanger or bracket 50 is first placed in the position described between the base switch ties 13v and 14. Prior to the pivoted assemblage of the bracket 50 upon Ythe hanger 40,

message Aenabled indeaendent ofthe frame 63, be-

cause the latter is detachablezwith respect to the rod 6i. The bracket orhanger 50 1s next pivotally connected by its pivot member 54: upon the .hanger 40, and it may be ,swung to any desired location so that the rock shaft 39 may be inserted thru the opening` 56 adapted to `receive the same and the squaredend 38 slipped .into the socketmember 3G provided therefor. A placement collar 8O may be provided upon the rock shaft 39, to prevent longitudinal:movement ythereof with respect to the bracket 50.

The stand frame 63 is of course independently attached to the ties 13 and la with respect tothe hanger i0 and-the bracket 50, and the rod 61 and its spring 70 may be readily inserted in the-stand to accomplish placement of the bracket on the hanger i0 as above described. A very important feature of the invention, as will be apparent, is the provision of the pivoted bracket 50 which may be swungto any angle desired in order to accomplish the adjustable assemblage of the rock shaft 39 with the socket member 3G.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement ofpartsmaybe madeto the form ofy invention herein shown and described, without departing from 'the spirit of the invention ortho scope of the claims.

lclaimz l. in combination with a railroad including ties and main `rails supportedthereon, switch points operaloly'associated with the main rails, means for moving the switch points, a locking device fori relea'sa'bly locking the switch points in predetermined switching relation with `the Lmain` rails, a bracket movably mounted with respect to said ties, and a rock shaft bearing' in said movable bracket in connected operating relation with said releasable lock means.

Q. .in a switch mechanism the combination with a rock shaft having dogs for engagement with switch points of railroad rails, hangers attached to iXed rails to carry the rock shaft, a movable bracket, and operating means rockable in the movable bracket in connected relation with the rock shaft to operate the latter.

3. ln combination with a railroad includ- .ing ties, fixed rails, and switch points in shift-.able relation with the fixed rails, means for shifting the switch points, a rock bar oscillatively mounted with respect to the switch points, locking dogs on the rock bar for releasable locking cooperation with the switch points, a bracket, means movabl mountingl the bracket upon the ties laterally of a main rail, and a rock shaft oscillatively mounted in the movable bracket having an operating connection with said rock bar.

it. In combination with a railroad including ties, fixed rails, and switch points in .meansconnecting the .ties of a shiftab'le relation with the fixed rails, .means for.` shiftingl the switclrpoints, a rock bar oscillatively mounted with respect to the switch points, lockingdogs on the rockbar for releasable locking cooperation with the switch points, a bracket, means movably mounting` the bracket upon the ties laterally of a main rail, a rock shaft oscillatively mounted vinthe movable bracket having an operating connection with said rock bar, and rock shaft and the means for shifting of the switch points for cooperative operation.

5; In combination with fixed rails upon road bed, switch points shiftable withrespect to the fixed rails, means for shifting the switch points, a rock bar oscillatively mounted with respect to the switch points including locking dogs for .locking cooperation between the switch points and fixed rails tohold the former in specific shift-able relation with respect to the latter, a hanger carried by the ties of the road bed, a bracket pivoted upon said hanger, and a rock shaftoscillatively mounted in said pivoted bracket having connection with the rock bar.

G. In combination with fixed. rails upon ties of a road bed, switch points shiftable with respect to the fixed rails, inea-ns for shifting the switch'points, a rock bar oscillatively mounted'with respect to the switch points including locking dogs for locking cooperation between the switch points and liked railsto hold the former in specific shiftable relation with respect to the latter, alhanger carriedlby the ties of the road bed, abracket pivoted upon said hanger, a rock shaft oscillatively mountedin said pivoted bracket having connection .with the rock bar, and operating means connecting with the rock shaft and means for shifting the switch points for cooperative operation'.

7. In combination with a railroad including ties and main fixed rails, switch points shiftably connected with the main fixed rails, a throw bar for said switch points, a rock bar rockably supported by the main fixed rails, locking dogs on the rock bar for locking cooperation with the switch points, said rock bar having a socket member thereon, switch operating mechanism for the throw bar including an operating lever, a hanger supported by the ties, a pivoted bracket on the hanger, a rock shaft oscillatively mounted in the pivoted bracket having a universal opera-ting` connection in the socket member of the rock bar, and means connecting the operating lever of the switch operating mechanism with said rock shaft for operation of the rock shaft when said lever is moved to shift the switch points.

8. In combination with a railroad including ties, liXed rails, shiftable switch points associated with the fixed rails, means for shitting the switch points, means Jfor l0ck ing the switch points including a rockery for the rock bar, a hanger carried by the ties, a bracket pivoted on the hanger, a rock shaft bearing 1n said plvoted bracket having universal connection 1n the socket or the rock bar, a frame independently supported on the ties with respect yto said hanger, an

yoperating lever on said trame, a reciprocable rod in the switch frame in operating relation with the lever, crank means `connectinc* said rod with the rock shait, and spring means normally urging the rock shaft and rod into operating position for said lever.

10. In a switch mechanism of the class described the combination with a railroad including base switch ties having lizeil r ain rails thereon and sliittable switch points asscciated with thev lnain rails, a throw bar associated with the switch points, a switch trame, a lever niovably carried by the switch frame, a rod, means connecting` the rod with the throw bar, means connecting the rod for operative movement by said lever, a rock ybar oscillatively carried by the main rails, locking dogs carried by the rock bar in associated relation with the switch points, a socket member for the rock bar, a U-shaped 'hanger' carried by the case switch rails independently of said switch frame, a

tion oi a pair of spaced supporting` ties, main 're-ils on the supporting ties, switch points snittable on the `support-ing ties, a rock bar carriedby the main rails including locking lugs for releasable locking cooperation with the switch points, a U-shaped hanger transversely extending in the space between the ties, a substantially U-shaped bracket pivoted upon the hanger between the ties including a vertical portion having an opening therethrough, a rock shaft pivoted in said opening having` a universal connection at one end with therock bar, said pivoted bracket having a substantially horizontal upper portion with an elongated opening therein, a switch frame, a rod extendingthrough the switch trame and through the velongated opening, ycrank meansk connecting the lower end o' said rod with the rockl shaft, an operating lever carried by the switch frame, and spring means actingon said rod to normally `torce the same upwardly into cooperating relationwith said lever.

JOHN R. WYATT. 

